Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Maria Gonzalez

How to Calculate Sourdough Ingredients

Formula

Flour = Total ÷ (1 + Hydration% + Starter% + Salt%); each ingredient = Flour × its percentage

Sourdough uses a naturally fermented starter instead of commercial yeast. Baker's percentages make it easy to scale recipes and adjust hydration.

Higher hydration (75-85%) creates an open crumb with large holes. Lower hydration (65-70%) produces a tighter crumb that is easier to shape.

Common use cases:

  • Sourdough loaf baking
  • Scaling sourdough batches
  • Adjusting hydration levels

Frequently Asked Questions

MG

Maria Gonzalez

Registered Dietitian, RD, MPH

Maria is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's in Public Health. She focuses on evidence-based nutrition assessment tools including BMI, calorie calculations, and body composition analysis.

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